Dell has refreshed its mid-range laptop lineup with the launch of the 14S and 16S.
These new laptops replace its previous Plus series as part of a broader reshuffle of its consumer branding strategy after a turbulent period for Dell’s naming structure. During that time, the company dropped and later revived its XPS branding and reorganised much of its entry- and mid-tier portfolio.
Positioned just below the XPS range, the new 14S and 16S target everyday productivity users. However, there is now a stronger focus on AI processing, battery life, and performance gains than before.
At the core of both machines are Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, going up to the Core Ultra 9 386H. There is also built-in AI acceleration designed to handle on-device Copilot+ tasks. Dell also offers AMD Ryzen AI 400 Series variants, but those will arrive later this month.
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According to Dell, the new chips deliver nearly twice the multitasking performance of previous-generation models. This is particularly true in workloads that combine productivity and AI features. Both laptops ship with Windows 11, and they include dedicated Copilot+ shortcut keys for quick access to AI tools.
Display options are fairly flexible. Out of the box, users get FHD+ panels with 400 nits brightness. However, Dell also offers upgrades to QHD+ 120Hz displays with up to 500 nits brightness and Dolby Vision support. For those wanting deeper contrast and richer visuals, OLED configurations are also available.
Battery life is one of the key selling points here. The Dell 14S can reportedly last up to 24 hours of productivity use or around 18 hours of streaming. Meanwhile, the larger 16S pushes up to 26 hours of streaming and around 14 hours of general use, depending on configuration.
Both models come in Celestial Blue and Frost Blue, with memory options ranging from 16GB to 32GB of RAM and storage options ranging from 512GB to 2TB. The 14S weighs in at 3.2 lbs, while the 16S is slightly heavier at 3.9 lbs, but both keep a relatively slim profile.
Pricing starts at $1,270 for the Dell 14S, while the 16S begins at $1,320, with UK pricing TBC. AMD-powered versions are expected to follow later in the month, expanding the lineup further for users looking for alternative performance tuning.
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